NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday announced extension of the e-tourist visa facility to 36 more countries, apart from including 7 more Indian airports in the list of designated airports for entry on such visas. The new regime will come into effect from August 15.

The seven new international airports that will accept e-tourist visas are Varanasi, Ahmedabad, Gaya, Jaipur, Lucknow, Amritsar and Trichy. Incidentally, Varanasi, apart from being a major tourist spot for foreigners, is the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ahmedabad, a key city in Modi's home state, also figures on the list.

With the latest extension of the e-tourist visa scheme, the number of beneficiary countries will go up to 113 from the existing 77. Similarly, starting August 15, the facility can be availed of at 16 Indian airports, up from the existing nine airports.